Rhino Poachers In South Africa Set Terrible New Record

In this photo taken Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, a white rhino grazes in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Seeing a dire situation grow worse, the animal conservation group the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) enlisted religious leaders on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in the fight to end the slaughter of Africa's elephants and rhinos by poachers, hoping that religion can help save some of the world's most majestic animals. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Poachers in South Africa reached a milestone in 2013 when they killed more than 1,000 rhinos for their horns.

In an effort to stop poachers, South Africa has turned its park service rangers into soldiers and has even deployed members of the armed forces to the hard-hit rhino habitat of Kruger National Park, the Telegraph reports. Although more than 300 suspected poachers were arrested last year, the criminal operations use sophisticated tactics and resources to elude law enforcement.